ALLEN PARK -- If the Detroit Lions remove general manager Martin Mayhew from his position this week, it would be a knee-jerk reaction best summed up by one word.

Dumb.

We all know somebody's head needs to roll. There is no way an NFL team ends the regular season on an eight-game losing streak, finishes 4-12 a year after the playoffs, and everybody walks away with their jobs. Somebody will take the blame for this season.

If coach Jim Schwartz tells the Ford family he intends to make changes on his coaching staff, plus revamp the roster, it buys him more time in Detroit. However, if Schwartz does not make any changes, then it puts him in a do-or-die scenario next year. That could happen regardless, but somebody has to pay the price this year since Schwartz's job is probably safe.

The easiest target is special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. His unit became the first in NFL history to give up kickoff and punt return for touchdowns in back-to-back weeks. Detroit's return game has been nonexistent under Crossman, Schwartz was never a fan of punter Nick Harris, and getting rid of a coordinator pleases a disgruntled owner more than a position coach.

Speaking of position coaches, I've heard many of Detroit's offensive assistants are not under contract past this season. It is safe to expect several changes on that side of the ball.

Getting rid of Mayhew does not make sense - for now.

From a talent standpoint, Mayhew assembled a team that has more individual talent than the Minnesota Vikings, better young players than the Chicago Bears, and should be on course with Green Bay.

Only three of Detroit's 12 loses were by 10-or-more points this season. The average margin of defeat in Detroit's loses was around eight points in 2012. That means Mayhew assembled a team that had a chance to win nearly every week.

It is up to Schwartz and his staff to win those close games.

Matthew Stafford finished with 4,967 passing yards this season, but it is not Mayhew's fault Detroit's quarterback regressed this season. Sure, he almost threw for 5,000 yards for a second consecutive year, but it was up to coaches to work on his mechanics and stop those awkward throws.

As a result, Stafford threw 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions this season compared to 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season.

More importantly, Detroit's offense scored 372 points this season compared to 474 in 2011 under Stafford's direction.

Stafford's lack of development is on Schwartz and his staff.

Detroit did not have any room to sign major free agents this past offseason due to salary cap restrictions, but the Lions' only major loss was cornerback Eric Wright. Mayhew assembled a team capable of making the playoffs, but it was up to Schwartz to hit the next level, or at worse stay on course.

This year's regression is clearly on the coaches.

That being said, Mayhew does deserve some blame.

Mayhew failed to address the Jahvid Best situation at all in 2012. There were no guarantees Best would be cleared from his brain injury - that's essentially what a concussion is - and play this season. Mayhew could have acquired a running back as a backup plan through free agency or the draft, but gambled and lost.

In addition, Mayhew really needs to reevaluate his draft strategy.

Mayhew loves to draft the best player available, but ignored needs this offseason. It made no sense to draft offensive lineman Riley Reiff and receiver Ryan Broyles in the first two rounds when Detroit's biggest need this offseason was help in the secondary. That does not mean Reiff and Broyles cannot help this team down the line, but his team needed secondary help this year.

I was a huge advocate for cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who Mayhew ignored. The St. Louis Rams drafted Jenkins in the second round, and he finished with 73 tackles and four interceptions (three were returned for touchdowns). Detroit's entire defense did not score a touchdown this season.

Even if Mayhew wants to say there was a behavior risk factor with Jenkins, he also passed on safety Harrison Smith, who was selected by Vikings. Smith finished with 103 tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble this season.